Saturday, May 30, 2009

UML, NC trying to split MJF: Yadav

Last Updated : 2009-05-30 2:42 PM

Himalayan News Service

KATHMANDU : The Central Committee meeting of the Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum on Saturday failed to take a decision on who would lead its team in the CPN-UML-led government. The meeting, however, directed the task force to do groundwork for joining the new government.After the CC meeting, spokesperson for MJF, Jitendra Dev, said, "The taskforce will take up the portfolios and the Common Minimum Programme with the UML." The party would take its final decision within two days after the taskforce submits its report to the CC meeting. The UML has agreed to apportion six ministries to the MJF.Earlier, MJF chairperson Upendra Yadav had expressed his disagreement over Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar's leading MJF in the new government. Four parties, including the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, Tarai Madhes Democratic Party and Sadbhawana Party on Saturday decided to accept Gachhadar in the new government.Claiming that other parties were conspiring to split his party, Yadav said the parties did not have the right to speak about MJF's internal affairs. "Only the party's CC meeting can take the final decision on who would lead the MJF team in the government," he added. Chairman Yadav warned that the MJF would withdraw its decision to join the government, if UML and Congress try to engineer a split in his party.Parliamentary Party leader Gachhadar, however, begged to differ. He said, "The four parties have shown their respect for parliamentary values," adding that the MJF would join the government following the PP meeting. "It is because of my efforts that the democratic alliance was formed. Hence, I should lead the party in the new government." He reasoned that Chairman Yadav did not have the authority to challenge the decision of PP meeting."Security was beefed up in and around the premises of MJF office to thwart any possibility of confrontation between the Yadav and Gachhadar-led factions.